Local firm Purcher International won the tender to supply the prime mover to Central West TAFE.

Mr Carpenter said that due to the new mobile training unit, Central West TAFE could potentially bring skills training to up to 170 people living in remote and regional Mid-West indigenous communities.

“Central West TAFE will consult with communities to determine their training needs, with a strong focus on trades training, occupational health and safety requirements for industry, and job readiness skills,” he said.

“Basic training to be provided may include fitting, machining, boiler making, general construction, mobile plant operations and driver training.

“Central West TAFE’s mobile training unit will include welders and associated engineering hand and power tools, general construction small plant and equipment, and hand and power tools such as cement mixers.”

Geraldton MLA Shane Hill welcomed the new mobile trade training unit.

“This is an innovative, flexible initiative which will bring trade skills and other training opportunities to people who reside in remote communities of the Mid West/Murchison region,” Mr Hill said.

“We have some exciting work opportunities and we need to ensure that people are skilled to grasp those opportunities.”

Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the Mid-West unit is one of four mobile training units being purchased with $2million from the State Government.

“The other units will be based in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields and are being tailored to suit the unique requirements of these regions, local indigenous communities and employers,” he said.

“I am pleased to announce that Waltons, of Geradlton, won the tender to supply the prime mover to Kimberley TAFE; Kenworth DAF WA, of Forrestfield will supply Pilbara TAFE and Goldfields Truck Power will supply Curtin VTEC.

The Minister said the Government was serious about addressing skill shortages in the regions so the benefits of today’s boom would continue to be felt in the future.

“Since February 2005, the State Government has committed a record additional $284million to addressing skill shortages,” he said.